I learn lessons in the garden slowly, most often not at all until some heartbreak beats through the dense wall of inattention. I do not resolve to change in any new year, but I note errors made in the garden from the prior year that will (possibly) be addressed. Errors in my personal behavior remain unaddressed.

In recent years, I’ve allowed the tall Verbena bonariensis to run wild along the path from the driveway to the rear garden. It does not amount to much until mid-summer when several patches of orchids are past their peak. No matter how dense the airy verbena grows, it has not bothered the orchids, but in autumn, I noticed that the thick clumps of toad lilies (Tricyrtis) were much thinner than the prior year.

I will not eliminate the verbenas, but as they get started in late spring, I must manage ones that compete with the toad lilies. This should not require much labor to weed out the abundant seedlings, but I must remember. That’s the problem.

As spaces for planting become more scarce, I plan for plants to ease into the shallow drainage swales in the damp lower, rear garden. First, I must select appropriate plants to tolerate occasional flooding, but I must also be aware not to block the path that drains rainwater from this and the neighbor’s property.

Several daylilies have been planted, and I expect to plant several moisture tolerant irises. But then, I must add a few perennials with wide leaves for contrast. I should take this slow, considering my choices, but of course, it’s likely a single visit to the garden center will fill the space.